~Jane Maiolo
A Springfield Township firefighter who had been placed on unpaid leave following his arrest, has been terminated.
At the September 11 meeting, the trustees issued a memorandum of termination to Jeremy Chesser, 41 of Maumee.
Effective immediately, the memorandum of termination to Mr. Chesser said the decision “is based upon the results of the township’s internal investigation into child pornography allegations levied against you, and more specifically the sworn statement of FBI special agent Matthew Cromley wherein he outlines the evidence collected substantiating the allegations and multiple admissions of multiple criminal offenses.”
The township will pay any remaining vacation that Mr. Chesser may have accrued on the next regular pay cycle.
On August 30, the firefighter/ paramedic was arrested at his home following an investigation.
According to the federal complaint, Mr. Chesser had been in contact with an undercover agent detailing sexual acts against minors and sending the agent nude images of the minors.
After his arrest, he allegedly admitted to authorities that he had been involved with child pornography for more than a decade, and admitted to sexual acts against children as young as 2 years.
The trustees expressed appreciation to Fire Chief Barry Cousino for his prompt handling of the matter.
“Thanks for handling this as professionally as you did,” Trustee Bob Bethel said.
Zoning Report/Issues
The trustees addressed several zoning issues during the planning director’s monthly report.
They approved a request by director Jacob Barnes to declare acreage at 2201 Gunn Road a nuisance and order the property owner, Summit Bonsai LLC, to remove the overgrown grass and vegetation from the property within seven days.
Failure to do so will result in removal of the vegetation by the township with the cost for the work placed as a lien on the property.
Zoning on the parcel was changed last year when Summit Bonsai announced plans to develop new single-family homes in the plat to be called Apple Blossom Reserve, but to date, no construction of the site has been undertaken, Mr. Barnes said.
The trustees also set two public hearings for 5 p.m., Tuesday, October 10. The hearings pertain to text amendments regarding small solar facilities and the Spring Meadows overlay district.
Included in his presentation was the August zoning permit report. “It was a busy month,” Mr. Barnes said.
The department issued 30 permits and collected fees of $2,450. The majority of permits were issued for fencing, nine, followed by signs, six; new occupant, three; pools and decks, two; and shed, change in use, addition, accessory structure, site plan review, remodel, temporary building and variance request, one apiece.
•Reviewed speed trailer data for Rall and Rancamp roads.
Tina Helminiak, assistant to the administrator, pointed out the data shows that when the trailer is in use, people obey the posted speed. “The trailer does slow people down,” she said.
•Accepted a lighting district petition from Michael Doyle for plat 11 of Apple Blossom Farms and set a hearing date to consider the request for the trustees’ September 25 meeting.
•Learned that there will be a fund-raiser for the children of Bryan Ellis, who passed away from brain cancer.
The event will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, September 25 at Glass City Metropark and includes a barbecue dinner, raffles, a silent auction and live music.
•Paid bills from August 29 to September 11 totaling $40,651. They also approved electronic bills from August 24 to September 7 of $346,882, including a biweekly payroll of $243,673.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, September 25, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. It also may be viewed via livestream at springfield township.net.
